Gamma knife radiosurgery is commonly associated with non-invasive treatment to shrink brain tumours. But that is not its only use, nor even its original one.
You may well be at least a little familiar with the Gamma Knife, a device that is commonly associated with very precise radiotherapy aimed at shrinking brain tumours. However, that is far from its only use, something that will be very relevant for sufferers of other conditions who benefit from its versatility.
The device was invented after much research by Swedish scientists Lars Leksell and Borje Larsson, with the prototype appearing in 1967. A second, more advanced version of the gamma knife was developed in 1975 and thereafter, various units appeared around the globe, including, eventually, here in Vienna.
However, Prof Leksell’s vision for gamma knife radiosurgery was not, initially, for brain tumours. His priority was to carry out neurological surgery to tackle pain and movement disorders, as well as mind disorders that would not respond to conventional psychiatric treatment.
Because there was such obvious potential for the device to be used in treating brain tumours, this was the inevitable next development. However, that does not alter the fact that gamma knife treatment remains just as useful for treating other conditions.
Among these are non-cancerous tumours, lesions and malformations, as well as certain nerve-related conditions. If you are suffering from one of these conditions, it may come as a surprise to learn that these, not malignant brain tumours, were the original reason for the development of the gamma knife.
Epilepsy is a common condition and one that a gamma knife can treat. The condition is caused by a failure of the transmission of electrical signals in nerves to function correctly, leading to irregular muscle problems and, at worst, seizures.
A gamma knife can treat this by focusing radiation on areas of the brain where abnormalities exist, as these are the source of irregular electrical signals.
This technique can work in similar ways in other conditions that involve problems with nerve signals. In some cases, such as trigeminal neuralgia, this involves using radiotherapy to block the capacity of a nerve to transmit pain, although this will take a few weeks to be effective.
In this instance, radiotherapy may be given as a means of stopping symptoms, alongside a range of other treatments, including surgery to help tackle common root causes of the condition, such as a large blood vessel compressing a nerve.
Parkinson’s disease is another neurological condition a gamma knife may aid, by helping to deliberately scar an area of the brain where the disease is causing malfunction, although the most effective and preferred form of treatment now is the use of an electrical implant to send a mild current to those areas and prevent the malfunction from occurring.
Another brain condition gamma knife treatment can help with is arteriovenous malformation (AVM). This is a condition in which a group of arteries and veins in the brain become a jumble and do not carry out the normal function of maintaining the steady flow of blood to and from the brain.
This can lead to swelling and bursting of blood vessels because of a lack of capillaries that would normally carry blood between vessels.
The condition is very rare, but serious. A small and fortunate minority remain asymptomatic, but common symptoms include dizziness, numbness, nausea and vomiting and mental issues like dementia and hallucinations, with the worst instances leading to brain damage, seizures and strokes.
Radiotherapy using a gamma knife is one of the options for treating an AVM, which involves helping to break up the mass of arteries and can either cause it to disappear in time or at least reduce the bleeding. As with a lot of treatments, gamma knives have the benefit of being non-invasive and therefore able to access the issue when invasive surgery cannot.
Finally, there is the fact that the tumours gamma knives are used on are often non-malignant. The aim is to shrink them and, preferably, prevent them from coming back.
Indeed, this is more important because while many malignant tumours, such as glioblastoma, are incurable and the main aim of radiosurgery is to extend life, whereas the permanent reduction of a benign tumour means tackling problems that could otherwise cause problems for the patient over a period of many years or even decades.
What all this means is that if you or a family member has a condition that does not involve a malignant tumour but may be treated with a gamma knife, you can be assured this is not only normal, but closer to the original use for the device intended by Professor Leksell.
To find out more about Gamma Knife surgery, brain tumours and treatment options, get in touch with the Amethyst Radiotherapy team today.
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